N.B. investigation into mystery brain illness to begin within months, says Susan Holt [Video]

Premier Susan Holt says her government will launch a transparent scientific investigation by early next year, with help from the federal government, into the mystery brain illness a Moncton neurologist claims is now affecting hundreds of New Brunswickers and people from six other provinces.

Whether the illness is new or not has been a long-standing debate between Dr. Alier Marrero and New Brunswick’s Public Health department.

Holt said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has confirmed the $5 million previously offered to the province to study the neurodegenerative illness, which causes symptoms ranging from painful muscle spasms to memory loss and behavioural changes, is “still on the table,” along with the support of the Public Health Agency of Canada.

“It’s hard to predict how long will it take us to find out what’s making people sick, but the time it takes to get started is something we can control,” she said in …